Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 12 (ANI): In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad has been declared unoperational until further notice, as confirmed by an official airport spokesperson.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people including 12 crew members, crashed just minutes after takeoff at 1:38 PM on Thursday. The aircraft went down in the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated residential locality near the airport perimeter, sending thick black smoke billowing across the sky.
“As a result of the Air India plane crash incident, SVPIA is currently not operational. All flight operations have been suspended temporarily until further notice,” stated the airport spokesperson.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who was attending an event in Vijayawada, rushed to Ahmedabad upon hearing the news. He is reportedly in constant contact with senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Gujarat state administration to coordinate emergency response operations.
According to DGCA officials, the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, issued a Mayday call shortly after takeoff from Runway 23, but ceased communication immediately afterward. The aircraft then crashed outside the airport perimeter.
The plane was commanded by Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 flying hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is closely monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with both Civil Aviation Minister Naidu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to visit Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance is extended to the victims and their families.
“PM Modi has asked the ministers to oversee relief efforts and ensure coordination between central and state authorities for immediate rescue and support,” said a government source.
DGCA teams — including the Directorate of Airworthiness, Assistant Directors of Airworthiness, and a Flight Operations Inspector who were already present in Ahmedabad on another assignment — have joined the on-ground investigation.
Meanwhile, Air India acknowledged the incident on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest,” the airline posted.
To aid the ongoing rescue and investigation, three NDRF teams with 90 personnel from Gandhinagar and additional teams from Vadodara have been deployed to the crash site. Emergency and medical teams are working on site amid concerns about potential casualties and further risks in the densely populated crash zone.
With operations at SVPIA suspended, flight schedules are expected to face major disruptions. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for rebookings and alternate travel arrangements. Updates are being provided on Air India’s official website and social media channels. (ANI)
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